Nearly 79,000 People Participated in Arts in California Parks — 40% visiting for first time
Contacts:
California State Parks
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov
Parks California
Media@ParksCalifornia.org
Aztec dancer performs a traditional dance during Arts in California Parks grantee American River Conservancy's event at Wakamatsu Farm in El Dorado County. Photo from Parks California.
SACRAMENTO — Nearly 79,000 people participated in Arts in California Parks events during 2025, according to an independent evaluation released today by California State Parks and Parks California. The findings document a program that is reaching people who have never previously set foot in their local park — and changing their relationship to it.
The evaluation assessed program outcomes through surveys, interviews, listening sessions and document reviews. Results span 44 regional and local parks across 18 counties, with participants engaging in events ranging from traditional dance and live performance to murals, permanent installations, cultural celebrations and community storytelling.
“California’s parks are for everyone, and these findings highlight the power of investing in community voices to shape meaningful experiences in the incredible places we share,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Through the Arts in California Parks program, artists are creating unique opportunities for all Californians to connect with their parks in ways that are relevant, inspiring and affirming — providing experiences that make you feel seen, valued and welcome.”
Among the most significant findings: 40% of event participants visited their local park for the first time, and 90% attended specifically because of an Arts in California Parks event. Half of all participants had never attended an arts or cultural event at that park location. Every participating grantee eliminated cost as a barrier by offering free or low-cost programs, and grantees collectively created or strengthened 458 community partnerships.
Arts in California Parks provides grants to community organizations, tribal groups, local governments and nonprofits to design and produce arts events in regional and local parks. Grantees have creative authority — selecting the artists and culture bearers to work with and design experiences that reflect their communities. One project invested $90,000 directly to approximately 200 local artists and culture bearers, keeping resources and creative leadership within the community the park serves.
“Forty percent of the people who came to these events had never walked into their local park before. That number tells us something important: the land has been there all along, but belonging takes care,” said Kindley Walsh Lawlor, president and CEO, Parks California. “When communities are given the resources and the trust to bring their own stories into public spaces, people show up. That’s what this program does — and sustaining it is how we honor the promise that California’s parks make to everyone.”
Additionally, 98% of participants said they would recommend similar events to others. Park staff rated their readiness to host future arts events at 9.2 out of 10, reflecting growing capacity to support events across the regional and local park system.
In October 2026, the next round of grant recipients will be announced, and their events will run December 2026 – September 2027.
The evaluation was designed and conducted by research and consulting firm Scansion and commissioned by Parks California to develop and implement a people-centered impact evaluation methodology for the grants program.
Learn more: ArtsInCaliforniaParks.org and ParksCalifornia.org.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.